NRA Strongly Opposes The Nomination Of Andrew Traver to Head BATFE

Calls On President Obama To Withdraw The Nomination

Statement From NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox

The NRA strongly opposes President Obama’s nomination of Andrew Traver as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). Traver has been deeply aligned with gun control advocates and anti-gun activities. This makes him the wrong choice to lead an enforcement agency that has almost exclusive oversight and control over the firearms industry, its retailers and consumers. Further, an important nomination such as BATFE director should not be made as a “recess appointment,” in order to circumvent consent by the American people through their duly elected U.S. Senators.

Traver served as an advisor to the International Association for Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) “Gun Violence Reduction Project,” a “partnership” with the Joyce Foundation. Both IACP and the Joyce Foundation are names synonymous with promoting a variety of gun control schemes at the federal and state levels. Most of the individuals involved in this project were prominent gun control activists and lobbyists.

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Grassroots News Minute Video: To view this week’s “Grassroots News Minute” video, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNhsGlV7Jj4

STATE ROUNDUP (Please note the only items listed below are those that have had recent action. For other updates on state legislation, please go to the state legislation section at www.NRAILA.org, and check each week’s issue of the Grassroots Alert.)

CALIFORNIA: NRA/CRPA Foundation Withdraw Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Negotiate Expedited Briefing Schedule for MSJ and Trial On June 17, 2010, the CRPA Foundation (funded by the NRA and CRPA) filed a lawsuit in Fresno Superior Court challenging the ammunition regulation statutes enacted by Assemblyman Kevin de Leon’s Assembly Bill (AB) 962 from the 2009 legislative session. The suit, Sheriff Clay Parker vs. State of California, challenges AB 962’s requirement that “handgun ammunition” be stored out of the reach of customers, its ammunition sales registration and fingerprinting requirements, and its face-to-face requirement for all deliveries and transfers of ownership of “handgun ammunition.” The lawsuit primarily alleges that the mandates of AB 962 are incomprehensible, and that the law’s definition of “handgun ammunition” is unconstitutionally vague. Copies of the filings in Parker v. California can now be viewed at http://www.calgunlaws.com/index.php/...op-ab-962.html.

On November 17, 2010, the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) Foundation's lawyers at Michel & Associates, P.C. in Long Beach appeared in Fresno court for the Plaintiffs on their hearing for a Motion for Preliminary Injunction and related case management and scheduling conferences. During the hearing, the Court expressed concerns over the amount of “irreparable harm” to plaintiffs if an injunction was not issued at this stage, and whether that harm couldn’t simply be “repaired” with money damages. The Court encouraged the parties to focus on the underlying substantive issue, and to reach agreement on how to expedite a decision on the merits prior to the effective date of February 1st for the major components of AB 962. In doing so, the court noted that although trials are now being set for 2012, the Court would grant the plaintiffs a rare trial setting preference. The Court then assisted the parties in negotiating a briefing schedule for an unusual and extremely expedited joint Motion for Summary Judgment/Trial by brief.

For more information on this suit and the November 17 court appearance, please click here.

Waterfowl Hunting at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is developing a plan that will shape management of the 32,000-acre Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. Located in Imperial County, CA, the Refuge was created as a sanctuary and breeding ground for birds and other wildlife. Among allowable public uses on the Refuge is waterfowl hunting. The Service is seeking comments from the public on what issues, concerns, and opportunities should be addressed in the plan. Comments are being accepted until December 4^th and can be emailed to the Refuge Planner at [email protected]. Please include “Sonny Bono Salton Sea CCP” in the subject line of the message. Information about the planning process may be found at http://www.fws.gov/saltonsea/. You may also call the Refuge Planner at 760-431-9440 ext. 349 for further information. It is vitally important that access to federal lands be preserved and where possible, expanded. NRA would appreciate waterfowl hunters taking a few minutes time to submit comments to the Refuge in support of waterfowl hunting at this Refuge.

NEW JERSEY:Invasive Personal Privacy Legislation Passes Committee!On Monday, November 15, the New Jersey State Government, Wagering and Tourism Committee approved S2379 by a 3 to 1 vote. Introduced by State Senator’s Barbara Buono (D-18) and Loretta Weinberg (D-37), this legislation would require organizations such as the NRA and the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs (ANJRPC), to send information regarding their contributions to the government. Specifically, S2379 would mandate that any “issue advocacy organization” classified under IRS Code as a 501(C)(3), 501(C)(4) or 527 that engages in the election or defeat of any person to state or local elective office; the passage or defeat of any public question; or that provides political information on any candidate, submit the names and addresses of contributors and their employers to the Election Law Enforcement Commission. At this time, S2379 has yet to be scheduled for debate on the Senate floor, so please continue to check your email and www.NRAILA.org for any new developments. In the mean time, please begin contacting your State Senator and respectfully urge him or her to oppose S2379! Contact information can be found here.

OHIO: Ohio Lame-Duck Session in Question, Two Important Pro-Gun Bills Hang in Jeopardy! Before the summer recess, the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 239 and Senate Bill 247. These bills now are now are before the House of Representatives for consideration. However, because the November election which resulted in the change of party power, the Democratic controlled House of Representatives recently announced the possible cancellation of the November lame-duck voting schedule, thus killing both pro-gun initiatives. SB239 would eliminate the current confusing standards of carrying a firearm in a motor vehicle. In addition, the proposal would also allow permit holders to carry a firearm for self-defense in a restaurant that serves alcohol, provided they are not consuming, thus eliminating another “victim zone” in Ohio. While SB247, would clarify and bring Ohio’s statutes for the restoration of firearm rights in line with current Federal law. Please contact your State Representative TODAY and respectfully urge your legislator to demand that Democratic Leadership reconvene the House of Representatives and return to the ‘people’s business.” Contact information for your State Representative can be found by clicking here.

PENNSLYVANIA: “Castle Doctrine” Legislation Still Needs Your Help!On Monday, November 15, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 161 to 35 to concur on House Bill 1926. HB 1926 will now move to Governor Ed Rendell’s (D) desk for his consideration. Unfortunately, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association is opposed to this legislation and is urging Governor Rendell to veto this important self-defense bill. This Association does not speak for all District Attorneys in Pennsylvania. Please take a moment to call your County District Attorney and urge him or her to speak out in support of HB 1926. Contact information can be found here. HB 1926 would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their home and any place outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. If enacted, this law would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker’s family when force is used. Also, please contact Governor Rendell today and respectfully urge him to protect law-abiding Pennsylvanian’s by signing HB 1926 into law. Contact information can be found here.